The Fort Campbell Falcons built an 8-0 lead over the first six innings and withstood a late surge from Dawson Springs to snap a two-game slide and claim an 8-5 victory Tuesday night on post. The Falcons improve to 3-10 and will be looking for their first 8th-District win on Wednesday when they travel to Hopkinsville to face the Christian County Colonels.
Up 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Falcons starting pitcher Dylan Johnson helped himself with an RBI single to bring home Michael Averhart. In their next at-bat, Elijah Crockett doubled to bring in a run, followed by an RBI from Ryan Sawyer. Crockett came home on a wild pitch for a 7-0 advantage.
Kevin Rhodd relieved Johnson in the sixth and found himself in some trouble after three Dawson Springs singles to start the seventh. Dylan Dawson drove in a run for the Panthers, followed by a two-out grand slam by Braxton Cotton to trim the Falcon lead to three. But Rhodd came up with a strikeout to end the threat and seal the victory.
Johnson earned the win, allowing only 2 hits over five innings with 10 strikeouts. Rhodd led the way at the plate with 3 hits for the Falcons.
Dawson took the loss for the Panthers, lasting 3.2 innings and yielding 4 runs, 2 earned, on 2 hits, with 5 walks and 7 strikeouts.